Laphroig is nice but Lagavulin is nicer. Pricey though

You've obviously got too much dosh, Blakey Lagavulin is v good, but too hard on the wallet.
I'd stick with the Laphroaig (£20 a bottle last week at Sainsbury's ...don't know if that offer is still on)

Worthing's suggestion of Talisker is a good un, but I'm in disagreement with Standee on Old Puteney...I can't stand it...hey ho, each to their own

Going sideways, if anyone wants to break themselves in gently to whisky, and start with blends, here's my two pennerth
Try
J&B (particularly if you're on holiday...cheap as chips abroad)
Bailey Nichol & Jarvie (you can get it at Morrison's)

Avoid
Johnnie Walker Red or Black...very over-rated
Ballentines...expensive for what you're getting



Philth, how did the tasting go?

Ovaltine

Glemorangie for me. Watch out for special blends every now and again where they mature them in, say, port barrels instead of old whiskey values. Give a slightly different flavour but still very pleasant. For £45 you may also be able to pick up the 100% proof version. This goes a long way because take a sip and you still feel it going down an hour later.

Yes, brought up in NI, been there a few times, the Green Bush (malt) is very nice, the Black is good for every day, not keen on the standard white.

I also think Talisker is an excellent malt, really smooth.

I worked as an event organiser in St Andrews and got to try loads of them in my capacity as chief taster in deciding what malts to have for the end of the conference dinners. Also got to try the wines for each course to choose which ones to go for. A terrible job, but someone has to do it

I must admit I prefer highland malts to lowland but I was impressed with a Japanese malt (yamazaki?) and a Welsh malt both recently on offer in Tesco

try the Wine & Whiskey Co in Skipton, North Yorkshire. They do a great range going up to the hundreds

not a whiskey drinker it all tastes the same to me,that shows how much ive drunk,but my main reason is that you only get a thimble full and when ive tried to make up for not getting much it makes me ill next day

I have about 70 bottles on the go at any one time I have some that have been openover ten years, very rare they change in bottle, some have been known to start oxidizing though. I have been a malt buff since 1983and it as never happened to anyof mine. Had a SUNTORI Jap and indian JAP was good Indian crap.

The Singleton is not very good try the ledaig same distillery but cheaper.Ledaig pronounced leedshig peatier and a lot better

My personal favourite is Ardbeg Uigeadail (I think tho there as been many others tha thave struck my palate more favourably at times) Laphroaig 10 yo and quarter cask are my normal drink due to financial restraints. but that matters not when I was working 3 of us purhased a Laphroaig 40 yo and beleive me it was too mild

Lefty - I didn't try it at spoons, I went out an bought a bottle instead! I thought I may as well after reading up on it and it was on offer at Morrisons. That's this month's purchase complete!

John - Good tips, sounds like you have a lot of knowledge on this. Be interesting to hear your top 5.